2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
5:00 PM
City Hall, Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Members Present Staff Present
Commissioner Andrea Evans Executive Director Emily Murase, Ph.D.
Commissioner Dorka Keehn Policy Analyst Kim-Shree Maufas
Commissioner Jing Xu Lee Policy Analyst Carol Sacco
Vice President Carolene Marks Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez
President Katherine Munter Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall
Commissioner Andrea Shorter
I. CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA CHANGES
President Munter welcomed everyone present and called the meeting to order.
Action: Approved amended agenda. m/s/c (Marks/Evans/Unanimous).
No public comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action: Approved draft minutes from May 23, 2007. m/s/c/ (Evans/Marks/Unanimous).
No public comment.
III. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT DISCUSSION
A. Executive Director's Report
In the interest of time, Dr. Murase directed Commissioners to her written report. Dr. Murase did announce that the Mayor's recommended budget had no cuts for the Department, and will go before the Budget and Finance Committee on June 28. Dr. Murase also reported that the Department received over 40 calls after she made a brief appearance on KIQI 1010 AM with radio personality Marcos Gutierrez to give an overview of the referral services offered by the Department. Dr. Murase was pleased to announce that Commissioner Marks and Commissioner Shorter participated in the 2007 Gay Pride Parade.
B. Violence Against Women (VAW) Partner Agency Profile - Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC)
Beatrice, Shanice, Sally, Berkeley, and Bo, all student participants of Project Voice Over, explained that this project gave youth the opportunity to write, record, and produce short films on a variety of topics. They were trained by San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR), Community United Against Violence (CUAV), 3rd Majority World, and LYRIC staff on institutional violence, relationship violence, and media injustice which they incorporated into their films. Each youth participated in this 3-month project working on storyboards and scripts, production procedures, and post-production (i.e., critiquing and editing). The youth incorporated their personal experiences into what they learned. The presenters reported that they were able to gain such skills as accountability, work etiquette, teamwork, communication skills, and technical skills they feel will help them in the future. This project will be used to educate other youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning (LGBTQQ).
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Agenda and are considered to be routine by the Commission on the Status of Women. They will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Commission. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Commission so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as a separate item. Members of the public may speak on each item listed on the Consent Agenda.
Action: To approve the Consent Agenda. m/s/c (Evans/Marks/Unanimous)
A. Resolution Recognizing Frances Stevens during Pride Month for her Work Promoting Lesbian Visibility in the Media.
B. Resolution Honoring Asian Perinatal Advocates on the Occasion of its 20th Anniversary.
C. Resolution Honoring the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office of San Francisco on the Occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region.
D. Resolution Recognizing the Dedicated Service of Civil Service Commission Executive Officer Kate Favetti.
Commissioner Shorter announced how glad she was to honor Frances Stevens' accomplishments, leadership, and entrepreneurship in developing Curve, a national magazine for lesbians. Ms. Stevens thanked the Commission for the recognition.
Ms. Kate Favetti, retiring Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission, thanked the Commission for the resolution recognizing her 36 years of service with the City and County of San Francisco. She explained that when she first came to work for the City and County, women were not well represented in City employment, and that, now, women occupy executive positions in much greater numbers than before.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. GIRLFeST Update
Kathy Xian with GIRLFeSt thanked the Department and the Girls Committee for their continued support. GIRLFeST, scheduled for July 19 - 22, will feature workshops, health education, concerts, films, music, art, spoken word and dance performances. GIRLFeST is working in collaboration with the following agencies:
" Department on the Status of Women
" SFWAR
" Health Initiatives for Youth
" The LGBT Community Center
" UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women's Health
" Wold Savvy
" The Center for Young Women's Development
" Nursha Productions
" Project Survive, CCSF
" Instituto Familiar de la Raza
" Production Logic
Baylee De Castro with the UCSF Center of Excellence in Women's Health (UCSF) reported that she is working to bring a key health component to the GIRLFeSt activities. She expressed enthusiasm for working with the Commission's Girls Committee and the GIRLFeST Youth Steering Committee. UCSF anticipates 200 participants for the Health Conference.
As part of GIRLFest, the Department will hold a Girls and Media Literacy workshop on Saturday, June 21st at Sanchez Elementary School, in collaboration with About Face. The workshop will focus on the media's influence on young women and highlight media literacy issues.
No public comment.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Childhood Matters Inc.
Rona Renner, RN radio host of Childhood Matters on 98.1 KISS-FM on Sunday mornings from 9-10 am explained that Childhood Matters, Inc. and Nuestros Ninos offer parenting information, inspiration, and advice to parents, childcare provides, and all who care for children. Parents and caretakers hear expert and culturally relevant advice. Topics include:
" child development
" positive discipline
" temperament differences
" yelling less and enjoying more
" post-partum ups and downs
" health issues " single parenting
" school readiness
" cultural differences in parenting
" fatherhood
" divorce
" stress.
Ms. Renner welcomed the Commissioners input on upcoming topics and any suggestions for possible guest for her show. Commissioner Evans reported that she has listened to the program and has called in to participate in the show. She was pleased find that the show covers a variety of issues parents face when raising children and has found the programs very helpful in her own life. Commissioner Evans explained that she is receives upcoming show topics on a weekly basis via e-mail. Commissioner Evans thanked Ms. Renner for the services the show provides to parents not only in San Francisco but throughout the Bay Area. Childhood Matters, Inc. will hold its annual gala in early November and will provide details, as they become available.
B. Juvenile Probation Department Update
Chief William Sifferman, head of the Juvenile Probation Department (JPD), thanked the Commission for its guidance and commitment to ensure services to young girls in the justice system in San Francisco. Currently the JPD recently resurrected the Girls Unit which had disbanded due to lack of funding. Chief Sifferman explained that Chicago has implemented "Project Renew," a nationally recognized program which has developed a blue print for providing gender specific services. Chief Sifferman hopes to have the Girls Unit up and running by the fall. Chief Sifferman invited Commissioners to attend a meeting with members of the Chicago Juvenile Probation Department on July 16th at City Hall in Room 201.
For FY07-08, there will be 3 new Probation Officers dedicated to the Girls Unit. He also emphasized the importance of providing gender specific training to JPD staff to ensure that the needs of girls are met. Currently, the JPD has 2 senior staff members who are women, Nancy Yalon and Allison Magee, and Toni Powell is currently director of Log Cabin Ranch.
In terms of supportive services, there is a commitment by Walden House to dedicate 10 beds for young women to facilitate a treatment plan after they leave the juvenile justice system. Regarding young mothers involved in the system, the Center for Young Women's Development established the "Bill of Rights for Incarcerated Mothers" and, in May, held a press conference to review and re-emphasize the importance of the "Bill of Rights".
Recently the JPD arranged a staff development exercise, bringing together women in city leadership and the executive staff of the JPD to discuss collaborations within and across departments and agencies. Thanks to a grant from the Zellerbach Family Foundation, the JPD hopes to have additional meetings to bring together different leaders and innovative ways to improve the JPD and provide gender specific services.
Commissioner Shorter thanked Chief Sifferman for his dedication to the implementation of CEDAW, stating that it is great to know that San Francisco is the first city to implement CEDAW especially in such a large department as the JPD. Dr. Murase emphasized the importance of collaborations by service provides and the JPD to ensure that girls in the Juvenile Justice system receive the assistance and guidance they need.
C. YWCA - Come into the Sun
Newly hired Executive Director Judy Case Di Pasquale reported that the Come into the Sun Program (CITS) of the YWCA provides services to girls and young women, 11-18 years of age, who are caught up in the juvenile justice system or who are considered "at risk". CITS services include:
" mentoring
" tutoring
" counseling services
" case management
" aftercare for teens that are released from the juvenile justice system.
Ms. Di Pasquale reported that, annually, they serve over 40 girls. Currently CITS is in its 3rd year of funding from MOCJ. She hopes to reenergize the mentorship program and encouraged Commissioners to become mentors. She added that she hopes to learn of the variety of services specifically for girls and young women and would like to work strategically with other organizations and the Department to provide services to this specific population.
Ms. Di Pasquale further hopes to work with the Commission because she was previously a Commissioner on the San Diego Commission on the Status of Women.
No Public Comment.
VII. REPORTS
A. Health
Commissioner Carolene Marks continues to work with the Healthy San Francisco Advisory Committee. There will be a soft launch of the city-wide health access program beginning July 2, starting with 2 clinics in the Chinatown. Commissioner Marks also reported that she is waiting to secure a keynote speaker before setting a date for the fall African American Breast Cancer Town Hall meeting. Commissioner Marks thanked Policy Analyst Kim-Shree Maufas for her work and dedication to help plan the town hall meeting.
No public comment.
B. Justice & Courage
Dr. Murase reported there was a Justice and Courage retreat on June 26. With about 20 attendees, the meeting was a successful brainstorming session to develop a strategic plan for the next 3 years. She also reported that the Domestic Violence Response Cross-Training Institute has trained 105 representatives from the following agencies: Adult Probation, District Attorney, Emergency Management (911), Police, and Sheriff. The training has demonstrated the importance of facilitating collaborations across agencies.
C. Violence Against Women Prevention and Intervention (VAW) Grants Program
Dr. Murase was pleased to announce that all contracts for FY07-08 have been completed and signed. She thanked Acting Grants Administrator Carol Sacco for her dedicated efforts on completing the contracts. She further reported that, as the fiscal year ends, the agencies have until Friday, June 29 to spend their appropriated funds. The Department plans to receive an update from Lisa Korwin on the Needs Assessment at the September Commission meeting.
No public comment.
D. Family Violence Council
Dr. Murase reported that the Family Violence Council legislation is being amended to include the Human Services Agency as a partner. Once the Legislation is amended, it will be reintroduced to the Board of Supervisors. Dr. Murase thanked Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall for her work supporting the Family Violence Council.
No public comment.
E. Girls Committee
Commissioner Shorter reported that the Girls Committee has been very actively preparing for GIRLFeST. Committee members have agreed to volunteer when and where possible.
Partnering with the Marin Institute, Girls Committee Members Melissa Padilla and Eileen Li will be participating in an Anti-"Girlie" Drinks rally on July 18th at the State Building to speak out on "Alcopops," alcoholic beverages with labeling that mimics that of soda and energy drinks. The Girls Committee has drafted a resolution commending legislation AB 346 "The Alcopops Warning Label Bill."
Commissioner Maufas attended the LYRIC Unchained Queer Youth Conference and Young Women's Health Fair on June 16th where she recruited for the Girls Committee.
No public comment.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Emberly Cross thanked the Department for its leadership on the Domestic Violence Response Cross Training Institute, stating it has been a great experience working with all the involved agencies. Ms. Cross acknowledged Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall for her work supporting the Institute.
Beverly Upton with the Domestic Violence Consortium (DVC) commended the work of the Family Violence Council and the Department on the Family Violence Council Legislation and reported that the press conference with the Mayor, District Attorney Kamala Harris, and Supervisor Sophie Maxwell was highly successful.
Ms. Upton informed the Commission that the DVC and the agencies funded by the Department will be requesting $515,000 in addback funds from the Board of Supervisors, with a portion going to support the Department.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn. m/s/c (Marks/Evans/ Unanimous)
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.
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